Question

Describe the similarities and differences in the sexual reproduction of moss and fern.

Answer 1

Hint: Mosses and ferns come under plantae kingdom. They have primitive origins and have a lot of economic uses.

Complete Answer:
Mosses are small non-vascular, flowerless plants that form dense green clumps, mostly in damp or shady areas. Ferns are a group of vascular plants that reproduce by spores. They do not have seeds or flowers.

Similarity:
- Their mode of sexual reproduction is oogamous.
- The female gamete (archegonia) is non-motile while the male gamete (antheridia) is motile.
- Their sperms are flagellate.
- External fertilization occurs i.e. water is needed for the sperm to reach the archegonia.
- Their embryo depends on the gametophytic phase.
- Both shows heteromorphic alternation of generation.
- Both are mostly found in moist, shady locations. Many are also adapted to drought and cool dry conditions.

Difference:

Sl.No	Mosses	Ferns
1.	Mosses have vascular tissues.	Vascular tissues are absent in ferns.
2.	Mosses are gametophyte dominant i.e. have a haploid multicellular phase.	Ferns are sporophyte dominant.
3.	Mosses produce small sprouts called gemmae, formed in little cups and can detach from the main clump and grow on their own.	Fern produces tiny plantlets on its fronds that grow into full form. They grow until the frond reaches the soil from where they form roots and grow independently of their parent plants.
4.	They have separate male and female gametophytes.	Fern gametophytes have both male and female parts on the same plant.

Both of them have a lot of uses. Moses helps to prevent soil erosion, provide shelter for insects and small animals. Peat moss is burned as fuel in some areas. Ferns also prevent soil erosion, used as ornamental plants and fiddleheads ferns serve as food.

Note: Both these plants resemble each other in a lot of ways. They are used in a lot of ways like mosses are used as green roofs, for aquascaping etc. while many ferns are as houseplants, used for cut foliage etc.